Apparatus for feeding packs of sheets



Dec. 20, 1966 K. A. KLINGLER ETAL 3,292,820

APPARATUS FOR FEEDING PACKS 0F SHEETS 14 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March l, 1965 IIJUulllll Dec. 20, 1966 K. A. KLINGLER ETAL 3,292,820

APPARATUS FOR FEEDING PACKS OF SHEETS 14 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March l, 1965 Dec. 20, 1966 K. A. KLINGLER ETAL 3,292,820

APPARATUS FOR FEEDING PACKS OF SHEETS Filed March l, 1965 v 14 Sheets-Sheet 3 Dec. 20, 1966 K. A. KLINGLER ETAL 3,292,820

'APPARATUS FOR FEEDING PACKS 0F SHEETS 14 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March l, 1965 I /LI a "ml, /69

Dec. 20, 1966 K. A. KLINGLER ETAL.

APPARATUS FOR FEEDING PACKS 0F SHEETS 14 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March l, 1965 De- 20 A1966 K. A. KLINGLER ETAL 3,292,820

APPARATUS FOR FEEDING PACKS OF SHEETS Filed March l, 1965 14 Sheets-Sheet 6 SW- 7 g4 Dec. 20, 1966 K. A. KLINGLER ETAL 3,292,820

APPARATUS FOR FEEDING PACKS OF SHEETS I Filed March 1, 1965 14 sheets-sheet 7 FIEU V/gjq ,Iv/95a Dec. 20, 1966 K, A. KLINGLER ETAL 3,292,320

APPARATUS FOR FEEDING PACKS 0F SHEETS 14 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed March 1, 1965 n bh@ Dec. 20, 1966 K.VA. KLINGLER ETAL APPARATUS FOR FEEDING PACKS OF SHEETS 14 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed March `l. 1965 138020, 1966 K. A. KLINGLER :V51-AL' 3,292,820.A

APPARATUS FOR FEEDING PACKS OF 'SHEETSv Filed March 1, 1965 y v14 SheetsfSheet 10 FEU FUE 1E Dec. 20, 1966,` -K. A.KL|N GL.ER ETAL A 3,292,820'

APPARATUS FOR FEEDING PACKS 0F SHEETS l 14 Sheets-Sheet 11 '1 Filed March 1,- 1965 Dec. 20, 1966 K. A. KLINGLER ETAL APPARATUS FOR FEEDING PACKS OF SHEETS 14 Sheets-Sheet l2 Filed March l, 1965 l Dec. 20, 1966 K. A. KL|l-1 r- 'Rl ETAL 3,292,820

APPARATUS FOR FEEDING PACKS'OF SHEETS Filed March 1. 1965 14 Sheets-Sheet 15 Cj. 'CZ

1215241d N F1525 Dec 20, 1966 K. A. KLINGLER ETAL v3,292,820

APPARATUS *FOB FEEDING PACKS 0F SHEETS v Filed March 1; 1965 14 sheets-sheet 14 ps REcEPz-HCLE U n Y United States Patent O 3,292,820 APPARATUS FOR FEEDING PACKS OF SHEETS Karl A. Klingler, Frankenthal, Germany, and Kermit E. Swanson, Naperville, Ill., assignors to R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company, a corporation of Delaware Filed Mar. 1, 1965. Ser. No. 436,182 Claims. (Cl. 221-293) This invention relates to apparatus for feeding packs of sheets or signatures, and in particular it relates to apparatus for feeding packs of sheets or signatures from a large stack of signatures in a magazine to the signature supply box of a gathering machine used in book binding;

As is well known in the art, it is necessary in the binding of a book to gather a complete set of the dilerent signatures which make up the book, and this operation is performed by a gathering machine that has a moving endless carrier which passes in front of a line of signature supply boxes. The gathering machine feeds a signature from each supply box onto each station on the carrier so that, when any particular carrier station reaches the end lof the gathering machine it Ihas received one signature from each supply box and has a complete set of signatures required for binding into a book.

It is always necessary for a large gathering machine to be attended by one or two skilled operators who are able to take care of any malfunction; but it is also necessary in high speed bindery operations to have several unskilled helpers whose sole job is to take packs of signatures which are stored behind the signature supply boxes and place them in the boxes. 'I'he boxes must have a relatively small capacity to permit easy feeding of signatures from the bottom of the supply, and with a high speed machine it is necessary to have an unskilled helper for about every six signature supply boxes. Such articles as mail order catalogs and metropolitan telephone directories may contain anywhere from 90 to 130 signatures and thus require that many signature boxes in the kgathering machine; and accordingly this type of bindery operation requires a large number of unskilled workers to fill 3,292,820 Patented Dec. 20, 1966 majority of the work in any bindery requires a gathering machine having no more than about thirty signature supply boxes, an'd even with conventional equipment this means only live or six helpers to the machine. For the periodic large binding jobs from ten to twenty-live extra helpers may be required on each shift, or thirty to seventyfive extra helpers a day. It is obviously very desirable in a printing and binding operation to eliminate, to the greatest possible extent, the need for this type of extra hiring which necessarily draws upon people from the lowest levels of the labor force, who are often very undependable floaters.

The present invention is illustrated in a preferred embodiment in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a 4side elevational view of apparatus embodying the invention, with a part of one power cylinder the signature supply boxes of the gathering machines from the storage pool adjacent the machines, which usually consists of signatures stacked on pallets.

The present invention provides apparatus that has a magazine to hold a relatively large stack of signaturesfor example, from two to four times the number of signatures that can be accommodated in a gathering machine supply box. Periodically the apparatus separates a relatively small pack of signatures from the bottom of a large stack in the magazine and feeds the pack downwardly onto the top of the signatures in the gathering machine supply box. Separation of a pack of signatures from the bottom of the stack is initiated by a sensing means associated with the signature supply box, so that when the top of the supply of signatures in the box is lowered to a certain level the sensing means automatically causes a new pack of signatures to be added to the supply.

By providing each signature supply box of a gathering machine with the apparatus of the present invention, it is practical for one helper to handle the supply signatures to 8 or 10 gathering machine boxes, rather than only 4 or 5.

The invention is of particular value to printing and binding establishments which produce large mail order catalogs and metropolitan telephone directories, because each of the very large books which requires upward of 90 signature supply boxes is only printed once or twice a year, so that it is necessary for the bindery to hire large numbers of temporary unskilled laborers whose services are required for only a few days while a ,single large catalog or telephone directory is being printed. The vast broken away;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus with a magazine guide in section and a signature in the magazine illustrated in broken lines;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view taken from the right of FIG. l, which is the side of the apparatus toward the gathering machine conveyor;

' FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view with parts in section or broken away;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary section taken substantially as indicated along the line 5`5 of FIG. 3';

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary section taken substantially as indicated along the line 6 6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary section on an enlarged scale 'taken substantially as indicated along the line 7-7 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary section on enlarged scale taken substantially as indicated along the line S-S of FIG. l;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary elevational view taken substantially as indicated along the line 9 9 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a table of a stack supporting means;

' FIG. l1 is a plan View of a platform of a pack `carrying means;

FIGS. 12 to 2l, inclusive, are generally schematic views of the apparatus which provide an operating sequence through a single cycle;

FIGS. 22 to 26, inclusive, are hydraulic valve diagrams of the valves which control the operation of the tive power cylinders in the apparatus;

' trical control circuit for the apparatus.

Referring to the drawings in greater detail, and referring first to FIG. 12, the apparatus consists generally of a magazine M for a stack S of sheets or signatures which must be loaded with their folded edges forward; stack supporting means I which includes a stack sup-` porting table 45 and means in the form of a cylinder and piston power unit C1 for reciproca-ting said table; lifting finger means vII that includes a lifting finger assembly 62, together with fluid cylinder and piston power means C2; pack separator means III that includes fluid cylinder and piston power means C3 having a piston rod one end of which carries a separator tip 77; pack carrying means IV which includes a pack carrying platform 88, fluid cylinder and piston power means C4 for reciprocating the platform, and uid cylinder and piston means CS for rocking the platform; and cycle control means, indicated generally at V, which includes sensing means having a switch SW1 for sensing the level of the top surface T of a supply of signatures B in a gathering machine supply box (not shown), and

a group of control limit switches (see FIGS. 27 and 28) which are actuated by movement of the various mechanical components of the apparatus so as to energize relays and solenoid valves (see FIGS. 22 to 26) which control the operation of the five power units.

The detailed description of the mechanical structure and control components of the apparatuswill be most understandable in the light of a general description of its sequence of operations through' a single machine cycle which is performed in about six seconds; and accordingly, a description of a single cycle follows with reference e to FIGS. 12 to`21, inclusive, and FIGS. 22 to 28, inclusive.

FIG. 12 illustrates the position of parts of the apparatus in a normal, or rest position, in which the stack supporting table 45 of the means I and the pack carrying platform 88 Vof the means IV cooperate to support a stack Sl in the magazine M, with the folded edges of the signatures forward.

FIG. 28 shows the electrical control circuit with all components in their normal positions; while in FIGS. 12 to 21 any contact of a mechanical element with a switch indicates that the switch is in actuated position. As seen in FIGS. 22 to 26, all of the power units are of the type in which the piston is moved both ways by uid pressure, and all of the solenoid valves are of the spring loaded type which return automatically to a normal position as soon as the valve solenoid is deenergized.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 12 and 27, the switch SW1 is mounted upon a member 29 which is a part of the gathering machine frame and has a switch arm a which carries a flexible sensing finger f that is contacted by the forward margin of the supply of signatures B in the gathering machine supply box. Switch arm a is spring urged upwardly toward the normally closed position of the switch,V and contact of the end of the supply of sheets B inthe gathering machine supply box holds -the arm a of SW1 down as seen in FIG. 27 so that the circuit through the switch is open. As soon as the level of the top surface T of the signature `supply B drops below the tip of the sensing finger f,

theY switch arm a moves up to its normally closed position.

As seen in FIG. 12, a switch actuator cam 87a at the top of supporting rod 87 holds a two-way switch SW7 against a contact x so as to complete a circuit to a time delay relay 1TD, thus energizing said relay to hold relay contacts 1TD1 and 1TD3 closed while holding relay contact 1TD2 open. Accordingly, the closing of SW1 energizes SV1 to admit lluid in front ofthe piston P1 of power unit C1 and thus withdraw the stack supporting table 4S from the magazine M.

Movement of the table 45 first releases SWS to its normally open position, conditioning one circuit to` SV4B for a later step in the cycle.

Continuing movement of the table 45 actuates normally open SW2 to close a circuit through normally closed relay Contact CRS and thus energize SV2 so as to admit lluid above the piston P2 of cylinder C2 and lower the lifting iinger assembly 62 to the position illustrated in FIG. 1'3-a travel of one inch. The downward movement of the lifting linger assembly causes bracket 58 of that assembly to free SW6 for movement to its normally open position, so that subsequent closing of SWS will not energize SV4A until SW6 is again closed. Continued movement of the table 45 to its fully retracted position, as seen in FIG. 14, swings the lifting lingers 62 forwardly out of the magazine and at the same time actuates normally open SW3 to close the circuit to SV3 and admit luid above the piston P3-of the power unit C3, thus extending the piston rod 76 so -that the separator tip 77 may open a gap in the stack of signatures as seen in FIG. 15. This also closes a circuit through closed (normally open) contact 1TD1,

f SW6, and a normally closed contact CR9. Energizal tion of SV4A admits uid to line L1 and moves pisl to energize SV4B and open return line L2 (FIG. 251)`.`

In the fully extended position of FIG. 15, a switch actua` tor 76a on the piston rod 76 of the power unit C3 closes normally open SWS so as to energize CRS, there-` by opening the normally closed CRS contacts to deenergize SV2, and closing the normally open `CRS contacts to close a holding circuit to CRS. Opening of the cir-` l cuit to SVZVdeenergizes that valve, admitting fluid bel low the piston P2 of power unit C2 to return the liftl ing fingers 62 to their original position.

Return of piston P2 `to its original position again` closes SW6 yso that there is a closed circuit to SV4A (see FIG. 25) through the closed contact CRS, closed ton P4 of power unit C4 down, thus moving the pack:

carrier 88 down as seen in FIG. 16. Such downward movement immediately causes switch actuator 87a of..

a `platform supporting rod 87 to release SW7,`thus kopening the circuit through the contacts x to deenerl gize 1TD, and permitting SW7 to close the Y contacts. Deenergization of 1TD releases the normally open contacts 1TD3 so as to deenergize SV1 and thus admit uid;

behind the piston P1 of the power unit C1 toextend the stack supporting table 4S into the magazine M.

At the same time, normally open contact 1TD1 is released for movement to open position thus deenergizing SV4B (FIG. 25) to close the returniline L2 land:

thus stop downward movement of the pack carrier ,88 in spite of the` fact that SV4A is still energized.

Return of table 44 releases SW3 which` returns to its normally openposition and deenergizes SV3 lso that piston P3 is returned to Aretract the pack `separator tip 77. This releases SWS for return to its normal, .open

position, leaving SV4A energized only through closed CRS, SW6 and normally closed CR9.

Deenergization of 1TD also permits normally closed contacts 1TD2 to close,.so that when the table 4S reaches itsfull return position in the magazine and again closes SWSthe circuit to lSV4B is closed through 1TD2 and SWS to again energize SV4B, open the line 62, and cause the piston P4 to complete its travel to the extended position of FIG. 18. During this time the remaining stack RS is supported entirely on the stack supporting` table 4S and the lifting fingers 62;

When the piston P4 of the cylinder C4 reaches; its` most extended position, the switch actuator 87a contacts a normally open switch SW9 and closes it so as to complete a circuit through normally closed time delay contact 2TDZ `to a solenoid valve SVS whichadmits uid above a piston PS of power unit C5 `so as to retract a piston rod 103 of said power unit and thus swing the pack carrying platform 88 to the position of FIG. 19. This deposits the pack P on the top of the supply B in the signature box, and contact of the forward edge 1 to deenergize SVS and return piston PS of-cylinder CS` to its normal position.

Return of cylinder C4 to its normal position again moves SW7 from the contact Y to the contact X, thus again energizing 1TD vwhich is also a two-'step time delay relay. The rst step of 1TD closes the contact at 1TD1,

thus continuing energization of SV4B. 'The second step instantaneously opens 1TD2 and closes 1TD3, returningA the system to its original condition and allowing the e11-` tire hydraulic system to be re-pressrurized.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 4 for a detailed description of the structure of the apparatus, 30 (FIG. 1) is a main tubular frame member of a conventional signature gathering machine upon which the apparatus of the present invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 31, is mounted by means of brackets 32 and clamps 33 which are positioned between base frame side plates 34a and 34b. The side plates 34a and b are fastened between upright frame members (not shown) which are parts of the gathering machine. As best seen in FIG. 3, the side plates 34 are connected by a central tie-bar 35, and bolted between the side plates are back plate supports 36, 37 and 38.

The magazine M is defined by a back plate 39 which is secured to the supports 36, 37 and 38 to form the front `of the magazine, and by angle iron side guides 40 and 41 which are bolted to slots in the back plates so as to be laterally adjustable to accommodate sheets of different lengths. As seen in FIGS. 1, 12, 18 and 19, at the back of the magazine M is an upright guide bar 42 the lower end of which is secured to an adjusting bracket (not shown) which is movably mounted adjacent the signature supply box so the guide 42 may be moved relative to the back plate 39 for accommodating sheets of different widths. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the stack supporting table 45 and the pack carrying platform 88 extend into the bottom of the magazine M from the front and from the rear of the machine, respectively, and cooperate to support a stack S of signatures confined bertween the back plate 39 and the guide bar 42, and between the side guides 40 and 41. The guide bar guides a pack P of signatures as the platform 88 moves down, as well as confining the stack S.

The structure of the stack supporting means I is best seen in FIGS. 1 to 3, 5 and 10. Referring first to FIGS. 2 and 5, on the side frames 34a and 34b are mounting blocks 43 for fixed carrier rods 44 on which a stack carrying table, indicated generally at 45 is slidably supported for reciprocation into and out of the magazine by the cylinder and piston power unit C1. As best seen in FIG. 10, the stack supporting table includes a central plate 46 at the sides of which are depending bosses 47 having bores 48 to receive the carrier rods 44. At the front of the table is a fitting 49 which is threaded to receive a piston rod 50 of the cylinder and piston power unit C1; and at the rear of the table are stack support arms 51 having downwardly inclined extremities (see FIG. 5) with beveled tips 52. As best seen in FIG. 2, the cylinder 53 of the power unit C1 is supported upon a bracket 54 which is secured to the side frame 34b.

The lifting finger means II is best seen in FIGS. l and 3 to include a bracket 55 which is secured to the back plate 39 and carries the cylinder 56 of the cylinder and piston power unit C2. A piston rod 57 of the unit C2 has its outer end threadedly connected to a slide bracket 58 secured to the ends of which are vertical slide bars 59 which are slidably confined between the back plate 39 and the slide clips 60. Secured to the lower ends of the slide bars 59 are shaft brackets 61 that support a lifting finger assembly which is generally indicated at 62.

`The lifting finger assembly 62 includes a cross shaft 63which is carried in the shaft brackets 61, and two sets of hook-shaped lifting fingers each of which consists of ,a pivoted finger 64 and a pivoted finger 65 that are connected by a tie plate 66. A coil spring 67 on the shaft 63 biases each set of lifting fingers so that rearwardly extending lower ends 68 of the fingers 64 and rearwardly extending lower ends 69 of the fingers 65 project, respectively, through slots 70 and 71 in the-bottom of back plate 39 and into the magazine M where they may cooperate with the stack supporting table 45 and the packcarrying platform 88. Each of Ithe lifting fingers 64 is provided with an adjustable stop screw 72 which bears against the back plate 39 so that the lifting fingers are parallel to the back plate as seen in FIGS. l and 6.

As heretofore mentioned, cooperation between the stack supporting table 45 and the lifting fingers requires that the fingers be rocked counterclockwise about the shaft 63 (as seen in FIG. 1) so as -to withdraw their rearwardly extending portions from the magazine as the supporting table is withdrawn from the magazine. This is accomplished by upright contact pins 73 at the two sides of the table which contact the end portions of the lifting finger tie bars 66 as the table is withdrawn from the magazine and the lifting fingers are lowered by extension of the piston rod 57 of the power unit CZ. When the supporting table 45 returns to its supporting position in the bottom of the magazine the return motion of the piston rod 57 has already elevated the lifting fingers so tha-t the pins 73 pass beneath the tie bars 66.

The pack separator means III is best seen in FIGS. 1 to 3 to include a bracket 74 which is mounted for vertical adjustment upon the lower end of the back plate 39 and has an inclined fiange to which the cylinder 75 of power unit C3 is secured, and the power unit is of a type in which a piston rod 76 extends entirely through the cylinder so that one end of the piston rod may extend through a hole in the bracket 74 to |receive a separator tip 77, while the other end of the piston rod 76 carries a disc 76a which serves as a switch actuator for SWS. When the piston rod 76 is extended it moves the separator tip 77 between the two sets of lifting fingers and against the unsupported fanned marginal portions of the signatures so as to open a marginal gap between `a pack P "of signatures and the remainder R of the stack.

Reference to FIG. 3 shows that the pack separator piston rod 76 and separator tip 77 are ordinarily projected through an opening 39a at the bottom of the back plate 39 to open the gap in the stack of signatures. However, when the apparatus is to be used for handling closed end signatures it is necessary to open the gap near the closed end, because of the stiffness of tha-t end of such a signature. Accordingly, the back plate 39 has additional openings 39b and 39C through which the piston rod 76 and separator tip 77 may be projected, and the bracket 74 may be mounted on the back plate aligned above either the opening 39h or the opening 39C, depending upon whether the closed heads of the signatures are to the right or to the left as seen in FIG. 3.

When the separator me-ans III is Imoved to either side of the apparatus f or Ithe handling of closed head signatures, itis necessary to re-arrange the lifting fingers so that the space Ibetween the two sets of fingers is aligned with the piston rod 76. This may be accomplished by removing the tie bar 66 from the 'lifting finger set behind the piston rod, and substituting yan elongated tie bar for the other bar l66 so that the finger 65 nearest the piston rod 76 may be connected to the elongated tie bar. Under these conditions the-re is Ia single lifting finger 64 to one side of the piston rod 76, and a set of three connected lifting fingers to the other side of said nod.

The pack carrying means IV may be best understood by reference to FIGS, 1, 2, 4, 6 to 9 and l1. As best seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 8, a supporting bracket 78 is bolted lto the side plate 34a and carries at its outer end Aa combined rocker and suspension assembly, indicated generally at 79. As best seen in FIG. 8, the assembly 79 includ-es a fixed pin 80 that is clamped into the end of bnacket 78 land has reduced end portions 81 upon which a guide block 82 is pivotally mounted by means of bal-l bearing assemblies 83 and cover plates 84 which bolt `over the bearing assemblies. Opposite the end of support bracket 78 the guide block 82 has a bore provided with a bushing 85 having keys 86 so that a supporting rod 87 may be non-rotatably slidable in the bushing. Secured at the lower end of the support rod 87 is the pack carrying platform, indicated generally at 88, the structure of which is best seen in FIGS. 2, 4, 6 and 11. Referring first t-o FIGS. 2 and 6, secured to the bottom of the rod 87 is a platform support corner fitting 89 which cooperates with a crossbar 90 and a corner fitting 91 to provide a generally U-shaped support for form 88 clockwise as viewed in FIG. 1.

a pack carrying platform, indicated generally at 92,which is seen in FIGS. 4 and ll to include a crossbar 93, a pair of outer pack supporting fingers 94, a pair of inner pack supporting fingers 95, pivot pins 96 by which the platform is pivotally mounted in bearing assemblies 96a in the support fittings 89 and 91, and extensions 93a of the crossbar 93 which bear upon the undersides of the fittings to position the platform normally horizontal. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, cam roller 97 in the fittings 89 and 91 bear upon cam blocks 98 in the side frame members 34a and 34b when the platform is in the elevated position of FIGS. l to 11. The cam blocks have arcuate lower margins which guide the platform to the .position of FIG. 1 as it returns from depositing a pack P on the supply B. As best seen in FIG. 1, a cylinder 99 of the cylinder and piston power unit C4 is secured to the underside of the pivoted guide -block 82, and a piston rod 100 of the unit C4 is seen in FIG. 6 to be threaded into the platform support fitting 89V to provide for vertical reciprocation of the pack carrying platform 88, .as heretofore described.

The inner pack supporting fingers 95 lare provided with spring extension fingers 95a which are important in the operation of the apparatus. Said spring lingers 95a are stiff enough to support the forward portion of the pack P of signatures `and prevent it from drooping. At the same time, the spring fingers `are flexible enough to bend down slightly as the pack separator tip 77 contacts the signatures to open the gap between the pack P and the remainder R of the stack. Likewise, the liexibility of the spring fingers permits them to bend up slightly as the platform is rocked to deposit the pack on the supply B, thus preventing damage to the signature on top of the supply.

The assembly for rocking the pack carrying platform 88 is best seen in FIG. 1 to include a power unit CS, a cylinder 101 of which has its lower end supported in a trunnion 102, while the piston rod 103 of the unit C5 is pivotally connected by a clevis 104 to a pin 105 of an operating arm 106 the opposite end of which is rigidly connected to t-he pivoted guide block 82 in such a way that retraction of the piston rod 103 pivots the guide block about the pins 81 to swing the pack carrying plat- When the platform is swung by the power unit C5 (FIG. 19) it is initially almost on the signature supply B, and pivots counterclockwise on its pivot pins 96 as it swings rearwardly about the pin 80. During-this motion the guide bar 42 holds the pack P on top of the supply B, Yand the platform slides out from under the pack, with the spring f fingers 45a flexing `as they traverse the top of the s-upply B.

For convenience, the diagrammatic views of FIGS. 12 to 21 show the switches SW7 and SW9 in positions different from those actually occupied by them; and FIGS. 1 and 4 show the true locations of said switches, while FIG. 7 shows their mounting on the cylinder 99 of the power unit C4. The switch actuator 87a is provided with a roller 87b that actuates both SW7 and SW9.

The foregoing detailed description is given for clearness of understanding only and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, as modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for feeding packs of sheets periodically onto a supply of sheets therebelow, said apparatus comprising, in combination: a fra-me; a sheet stack magazine in said frame;vmovable stack supporting means on the frame beneath the magazine; movable pack carrying means on the frame beneath the magazine, said stack supporting and said pack carrying means cooperating to support )a stack of sheets in the magazine; means for moving said stack supporting means from beneath the,

magazine to leave the st-ack supported only on the pack carrying means; means for forming a gap between a pack of sheets'at the lower end of the stack and the remaining stack; means for inserting the stack supporting means in said .gap to support the remaining stack while leaving the pack on the pack carrying means; means for moving the pack carrying means downwardly to permit the pack thereon to be deposited on said supply of sheets; and means for returning said pack carrying means to a position cooperating with the stack supporting means to support the stack.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 which includes means for sensing the position of the top of the supply, means controlled by said sensing means for initiating the separation of a pack of sheets from the bottom of the stack, and control means for sequentially operating the means for moving the pack carrying means t0 the supply of sheets and the means for returning said carrying means to a position adjacent the bottom of the stack.

3. Apparatus for feeding packs of sheets periodically onto a supply of sheets, said apparatus comprising, in combination: a frame; a sheet stack magazine in said frame; movable stack supporting means on the frame beneath the magazine; movable pack carrying means on the frame beneath the magazine, said stack supporting and said pack carrying means cooperating to support a stack of sheets in the magazine; means for moving said stack supporting means from beneath the magazine to leave the stack supported only on the pack carrying means; means for moving a marginal portion of a pack away from the lower end of the remaining stack to form a gap at said marginal portion; movable temporary stack supporting means; means for moving said temporary `stack supporting means into said gap to support a marginal portion of the remaining stack above said gap; means for moving the stack supporting means into the gap to support the remaining stack independently of the pack carrying means; means for moving said pack carrying means from a position adjacent the lower end of the stack to permit the.

pack of sheetsto be deposited on said supply of sheets; and means for returning said pack carrying means to a position adjacent the lower end of the stack.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 in which the pack carrying means supports the stack with a marginal `portion of the stack unsupported, the means for ymoving a marginal portion of a pack downwardly comprises a separator positioned to push said unsupported marginal portion of the pack to bend it away from said portion of the remaining` stack, and in which the apparatus includes lifting means for moving said temporary stack supporting means to lift the unsupported marginal portion of the remaining stackl immediately after the gap is formed between the pack and the remaining stack.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 in which the stack supporting means and the temporary stack supporting means cooperate to support the remaining stack `during movement of the pack carrying -means toward and from the supply` of sheets.

. 6. The apparatus of claim 5 which includes lmeans controlled by operation of the lifting means to initiate movement of the stack supporting means into the gap between the pack and the remaining stack.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 which includes means for sensing the position of the top of the supply, means controlled by said sensing means for initiating movementA onto a supply .of sheets, said apparatus comprising, in c0m. bination: a frame; a sheet stack magazine in said frame;

movable stack supporting means on the frame which supports a stack of sheets in the magazine; means for separating Ia pack of sheets at the lower end of the stack from` the remaining stack; normally horizontally oriented pack carrying means for supporting said pack independently of said stack supporting means; means for moving said pack carrying means from .a position adjacent the lower end of the stack to a position adjacent said supply of sheets; means for tilting said pack carrying means to deposit the pack of sheets on top of the supply of sheets; and means for returning said pack carrying means to a position adjacent the lower end of the stack.

9. Apparatus for feeding packs of sheets periodically onto a supply of sheets, said yapparatus comprising, in combination: a frame; a sheet stack magazine in said frame; movable pack carrying means on the frame which supports a stack of sheets in the magazine with a marginal portion of the stack positioned for movement relative to the pack carrying means; separating means for contacting a pack of sheets at the lower end of the stack to bend said marginal portion of the pack away from the remaining stack to form a marginal gap; stack supporting means adjacent said unsupported marginal portion; means for moving said stack supporting means into said gap and -contacting the remaining stack to support said remaining stack; means for moving said pack carrying means to deposit the pack of sheets on the supply of sheets; and means for returning said pack carrying means to a position supporting the stack .in the magazine.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 in which the pack carrying means and the stack supporting means are on opposite sides of the frame and have parallel bars with the bars of the carrying means alternating with the bars of the supporting means.

11. The apparatus of .claim 10 in which the pack carrying means includes flat spring ngers that form extensions of the bars on said carrying means, said lingers providing flexible support for the relatively movable marginal portions of the stack.

12. Apparatus for feeding packs of sheets periodically onto a supply of sheets from the lower end of which sheets are continually removed, said apparatus comprising, in combination: a frame; a magam'ne in said frame for a stack of sheets; pack carrying means and stack supporting means in the magazine which are independently movable, have opposed, inter-meshing bars, and are adapted to support a stack of sheets either pointly or independently, said .pack carrying means being constructed to carry the stack independently of the supporting means with a marginal portion of the stack .positioned for movement relative to the pack carrying means; means for withdrawing said stack supporting means from the magazine to leave the stack carried only on the pack carrying means; separating means for contacting a pack of sheets at the bottom ofthe stack to bend said marginal portion of the pack away from the remaining stack; means for returning said stack supporting means to the magazine to carry the remaining stack; means for moving the pack carrying means with the pack thereon to deposit said pack on the sheet supply; means for withdrawing said pack carrying means from beneath said pack; and means for returning the pack carrying means to a position where it cooperates with said stack supporting means to support the remaining stack.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 which includes means for sensing the position of the top of the supply, means controlled by said sensing means for initiating the withdrawal of the stack supporting Imeans from the magazine, and control means for sequentially actuating the separating means, the means for returning the stack supporting means, and the means for moving the pack carrying means to automatically carry out the sequence of operations set out in claim 9.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 which includes temporary supporting means adjacent the stack supportingV means, lifting means for moving said temporary supporting means to lift the relatively movable marginal portion of the remaining stack, and means actuated by movement of said lifting means to initiate return of the stack supporting means to the magazine.

1-5. The apparatus of claim 12 which includes two control members which are actuated sequentially by return of the stack supporting means to the magazine, `the rst of said control members activating the means for moving the pack carrying means Ito move said pack carrying means a short distance toward the sheet supply during the iinal part of the return movement ofthe stack supporting means, and the second of said control members further activating said moving means to move the pack carrying means to the sheet supply.

16. The apparatus of claim 12 which includes means for rocking the pack carrying means, and control means actuated upon arrival of the .pack carrying means adjacent the sheet `supply to activate said rocking means for sliding the pack off the carrying means onto the top of the sheet supply.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 in which the pack carrying means includes nat spring -ngers that form extensions of the bars on said carrying means, said ngers providing flexible support for the relatively movable mar- .ginal portions of the stack.

18. Apparatus for feeding pac-ks of sheets periodically onto a supply of sheets, said apparatus comprising, in combination: a frame; a magazine in said frame for a stack of sheets; pack carrying means and stack supporting means in the magazine which are independently movable, opposed, intermeshing, and adapted to support a stack of sheets either jointly or independently, said pack carrying means being constructed to carry the stack independently of the supporting means with a marginal portion `of the stack unsupported; rst power means for reciprocating the stack supporting means; second power means for reciprocating the pack carrying means; third power means for rocking the pack carrying means; means for sensing the position of the top of the sheet supply; lrst control means actuated by said sensing means for activating said rst power means to withdraw the stack supporting means and leave the stack carried only on the pack carrying means; separating means adjacent the bottom of the unsupported marginal portion of the stack; fourth power means; second control means actuated by withdrawal of the stack supporting means to activate the fourth power means and drive said separating means against a pack of sheets at the bottom of the stack to bend the unsupported marginal portion of the pack away from the stack; third control means operated sequentially after the operation of said fouuth power means to activate said first power means and return the stack supporting means to the magazine where it supports the remaining stack; fourth control means actuated by return of the stack supporting means to activate the second power means to 4move the pack carrying means downwardly toward the sheet supply; fifth control means actuated by downward movement lof the pack carrying means to activate the third power means and rock the pack carrying means to vdeposit the pack of sheets on the sheet supply; and sixth control means actuated b-y rocking of the pack carrying means to activate the second and third power mea-ns and return the pack carrying means to a position where it cooperates with the stack supporting means to support the stack.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 which includes temporary supporting means, fth power means for reciprocating said temporary supporting means so that the latter may selectively support the marginal portion of the remaining stack, and seventh control means which is operated yby movement of the separating means to activate said fifth power means for elevating the temporary supporting means to lift said unsupported marginal portion of the remaining -stack before the stack supporting means returns to the magazine.

20. The apparatus 4of claim 19 in which the fourth contnol means includes two control members which are Y 1 I` 1 2 t actuated sequentially by return of the stack supporting References Cited by the Examiner'L means'to the magazine, the -rst of said control members UNITED ST ATES PATENTS activating the second power means to move the pack car- I 4 rying means down a short distance during the final part ltyor'tlg, 9;( of the return movement of the stack supporting means, I5 2770392 11/1956 Roberts 221 293 X l and the second of said control members further activating 974:828 3/1961 MatteSmnjnzj 221 298 `X the second power means to move the pack carrying means down to the sheet supply. SAMUEL F. COLEMAN, Primary Examiner. 

1. APPARATUS FOR FEEDING PACKS OF SHEETS PERIODICALLY ONTO A SUPPLY OF SHEETS THEREBELOW, SAID APPARATUS COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: A FRAME; A SHEET STACK MAGAZINE IN SAID FRAME; MOVABLE STACK SUPPORTING MEANS ON THE FRAME BENEATH THE MAGAZINE; MOVABLE PACK CARRYING MEANS ON THE FRAME BENEATH THE MAGAZINE, SAID STACK SUPPORTING AND SAID PACK CARRYING MEANS COOPERATING TO SUPPORT A STACK OF SHEETS IN THE MAGAZINE; MEANS FOR MOVING SAID STACK SUPPORTING MEANS FROM BENEATH THE MAGAZINE TO LEAVE THE STACK SUPPORTED ONLY ON THE PACK CARRYING MEANS; MEANS FOR FORMING A GAP BETWEEN A PACK OF SHEETS AT THE LOWER END OF THE STACK AND THE REMAINING STACK; MEANS FOR INSERTING THE STACK SUPPORTING MEANS IN SAID GAP TO SUPPORT THE REMAINING STACK WHILE LEAVING THE PACK ON THE PACK CARRYING MEANS; MEANS FOR MOVING THE PACK CARRYING MEANS DOWNWARDLY TO PERMIT THE PACK THEREON TO BE DISPOSITED ON SAID SUPPLY OF SHEETS; AND MEANS FOR RETURNING SAID PACK CARRYING MEANS TO A POSITION COOPERATING WITH THE STACK SUPPORTING MEANS TO SUPPORT THE STACK. 